As Walker County students head back to school, the LaFayette Police Department is urging motorists to slow down, stay alert, and follow Georgia’s school bus passing laws to help keep children safe.
In a social media post, the department reminded drivers to use extra caution during the busy morning and afternoon commute, when students are walking to and from school and school buses are picking up and dropping off passengers.
Police are encouraging drivers to watch for school crossing zones, children near roadways, and buses displaying flashing lights and extended stop arms.
According to the department, Georgia law requires drivers to stop for a school bus in most situations:
- On a two-lane road, traffic traveling in both directions must stop when a school bus is loading or unloading students.
- On a multi-lane road without a median, traffic in both directions must also stop.
- On a divided highway with a physical median, only vehicles traveling in the same direction as the school bus are required to stop. Drivers traveling in the opposite direction do not have to stop.
The department also reminded motorists that failing to stop for a school bus can result in significant penalties, including a minimum $1,000 fine and points added to a driver’s license.
“Taking a few extra moments to slow down and pay attention can make all the difference in keeping our children safe,” the department said in its message to the community.
The LaFayette Police Department thanked residents for doing their part to help make the city a safe place to live, visit, and work as another school year gets underway.